Yarn tensioning device for knitting machines



A ril 21, 1936.. F AUTEM 2,037,750

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed May 23, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

F. AUTEM 2,037,750

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES April 21, 1936.

'Filed May 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 yllllnllllln April 21, 1936. F.AUTEM YARN TENSIONING DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed May 23, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR.

/ A TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE YARN TENSIONINGDEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fred Autem, Wyomissing, Pa., assignor toTextile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication May 23, 1935, Serial No. 22,952

27 Claims.

' chine.

Devices heretofore employed for controlling yarn tension, particularlyof the finer two and three thread silk yarns frequently used inknitting, have been found objectionable for many reasons, among which isan excessive drag on the thread after passing through the yarntensioning mechanism, frequently resulting in detrimental and irregulartensioning during the feeding of the yarn through the usual threadtensioning devices.

- The prior devices, particularly those employed in full-fashionedmachines, fail to maintain the threads sufficiently taut, so that, whena carrier, associated with a particular yarn, is inactive, or is movedto effect an idle course, the mere oscillation of the so-calledsnappers, on the yarnsupporting shelf or rod, is often sufficient tocause the tension ring to withdraw the yarn from its bobbin, and thering to drop to an inoperative position. This removes all tension fromthe yarn, causing loose loops along the selvedge edge to a point wherethe slack was taken up and tension was again being applied to thefabric.

One object of the invention is to eliminate sleasiness or washboardeffects in the stocking fabric caused by irregular feeding of yarn tothe needles of the machine.

Another object is to produce tighter and therefore more perfect selvedgeedges in a stocking fabric. 7

, Among the other objects of the invention, are to provide a novel yarntensioning device for eliminating the above and other objectionablefeatures of the prior art structures; to provide a device of this typewhich is particularly adapted for use in connection with straightknitting machines, for effecting even and steady feeding of yarn at alltimes, and at all portions of a thread carrier stroke, for producing abetter and more uniformly looped selvedge, for causing the yarn Theinvention is herein described as employed in connection with amulti-thread or ringless" silk stocking knitting machine wherein it isespecially desirable, in view of the more popular and constantly growingdemand for sheer stock- 5 ings, to avoid variations in tension of thesilk as it is fed to the needles. Apparatus of this type thus, preventslocal variations in the length of the stitches caused by varyingtension.

A further object of the invention is therefore, 1

to provide means for uniformly and equally tensioning a plurality oflike yarns, particularly as adapted to keep uniformly taut, each yarn ofa three-carrier ringless hosiery thread supply.

With these, and other, objects in view, which 15 will become apparentfrom the following description of an illustrative and practicalembodiment of my invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, theinvention comprises the novel elements, features of construction andarrange- 20 ment of parts in cooperative relation, as hereinafter moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view, with certain parts in elevation and section,and others indicated by broken lines, of a portion of a full-fashionedknitting machine, and a tension device of the invention in associationtherewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view, partially in section, of thetension device, as 30 viewed near the upper left center of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in side elevation, of the device of Fig. 2, taken atright angles thereto, as viewed from the front of the knitting machine;

Fig. 4 is a view, taken substantially along the 35 line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, of a modified form of the structurethereof;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device as projected from Fig. 2,indicating yarns, for tension- 40 ing thereby, in positions assumedunder certain tension conditions;

Fig. 7 is a view, similar to a portion of Fig. 6, of the device thereof,indicating one of the yarns in a position assumed under another tensioncondition;

Fig. 8 is a view, in longitudinal section, of a modification of one ofcertain elements of the previous figures for imposing a retarding actionr0 on the yarn;

Fig. 9 is a view. similar to Fig. 7, of a modification of the structurethereof;

Fig. 9A is a view, taken substantially along the line 9A-9A of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a view, similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of tensiondevice;

Fig. 11 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, of the device of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, of the mechanism of Figs. 10andll;

Fig. 13 is a view, similar to Fig. 6, of the structure of Figs. 10, 11and 12, with yarns as positioned relative thereto under certain tensionconditions;

Fig. 14 is a view, similar to Figs. '7 and 9, of the device of Figs. 10,11, 12 and 13, with yarns as positioned under other tension conditions;

Fig. 15 is a view, taken substantially along the line ll5 of Fig. 13,indicating the position of parts under certain yarn-tension conditions;

Fig. 16 is a-view, similar to Fig. 15, of the parts thereof aspositioned under other yarn-tension conditions; 1

Figs. 1'1 and 18 are views, similar to Figs. 15 and 16, respectively, ofa modification of the structure thereof, indicating parts as positionedunder corresponding yarn-tension conditions;

and I Fig. 19 is a view, similar to Figs. 15 and 17, of a furthermodification of the structures thereof, and indicating the parts aspositioned under similar conditions of yarn tension.

In practicing the invention, the yarn is drawn from a cone or supply,and passed through the device of the improvement to a yarn'carrier fordistribution to the needles and other knitting parts. Ordinarily theyarn readily pulls off the cone, without undue tension, but withconsiderable variation. However, the tension sometimes becomessufficiently great to break the yarn.

When the yarn, between the cone and the tension device of the invention,is slack or free from appreciable retardation against pullingfrom thecone, the device exerts its maximum retarding force against feeding theyarn to the needles and other working parts. When the retarding force onthe yarn, between the cone and the tension device is at a maximum, thedevice exerts a minimum of retarding effect against its feeding to theneedles. When the force required to pull the yarn from the cone is lessthan the maximum, or greater than the minimum, the retarding effect onthe yarn by the tension device is accordingly greater or less; thedevice thus operating reciprocally and gradually, between all values ofpulling forces, from maximum to minimum, to exert a correspondingretarding effect, so that, irrespective of variations in pulling forces,between maximum and minimum, from the yarn supply to the device of theinvention, the pulling force between the device and the yarn carrier ismaintained substantially constant.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1, the sole figure showing parts of aknitting machine with which the invention is adapted to operate, onlythe parts of such machine necessary to a complete understanding thereofin cooperation with the tension device, are therein shown, the otherparts and the operation thereof being well known in the art, as fullyshown and described in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting MachineCatalogue, copyright 1929, and published by The Textile Machine Works,Reading, Pennsylvania.

As indicated in Fig. 1, a yarn 22 is supplied from a cone 23, in amoistening box 24, through an eyelet 25, over a yarn-guide rod 26,through a tension device T, into a moistening trough 21, through atension ring 28 and a snapper 29, and over another thread-guide rod 32to a. yarncarrier arm 33. The carrier 33 lays the yarn 22, in a usualand well-known manner, to knitting mechanism including needles 34, on aneedle bar 35, and a sinker-head assembly S.

In the above-described structure, the yarn 22 is pulled by the carrier33, and, as above indicated,

so long as the yarn pulls easily off the cone 23, the device T exerts apredetermined retarding effect to the yarn feed, to have the yarn,between the device T and the carrier 33, under a predetermined tension.If the yarn is pulled with difficulty off the cone, thereby increasingits tension between the cone and the device, the latter decreases itsretarding effect, so that variations in the yarn tension,'between thecone 23 and the device T, are not transmitted to the yarn between thedevice T and the carrier 33.

To accomplish this result, in the preferred 'fo of the-invention, shownin Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and '7, the device T is constructed ofsubstantially T- shape, in end elevation, as viewed in Fig. 2, having anupright leg 36, and a top horizontal cross head 31, of a cast-metalbase. The head 31 is of vertical-wall, crate-like character having threerows 4|, 42 and 43, each of three compartments, the compartments of therows 4| and 43 of which have open tops and bottoms, and the compartmentsof the row 42 of which have open tops and closed bottoms 44. The row 42,is longitudinally partially offset from the rows 4| and 43, at oppositesides thereof, to accommodateyarn-retarding elements 45 in properrelation to the yarns 22.

As more clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the row of compartments 42 isprovided, beneath its transverse end and intermediate partitionsextending in the general direction of the yarn, with slots 46 for theendwise reception of a strip or plate 41 including a series of raisedportions 48 having high top surfaces disposed Qneintermediatethe ends ofeach compartment of the row, on which the yarn 22 is normally adapted tobe acted upon, with variable degrees of retardation, by the elements 45.

The low top surfaces of the strip 41, between the raised portions 48,and at the ends of the strip, gradually merge into the high top surfacesalong easy curves, at the intersection of the high and low surfaces.Means, such as a set screw 49, may be provided for holding the strip 41in place.

The elements 45, as better shown in Fig. 4, are preferably of aconstruction whereby the yarn engaging surface is of vitreous material,such as provided by a glass tube having rounded inturned ends one ofwhich cooperates with the curved surface between the adjacent low andhigh top surfaces of the strip to provide easy entrance of the yarnbetween the element and the high surface, and are also preferably inrotatable floating position on the yarn, and pivotally movabletransversely to their lengths by the yarn, on the shoulder between thehigh and low top surfaces at the right of each compartment, as viewed inFig. 4. By comparison of the wall thickness of one of the elements 45 ofFig. 4, with a similar element 45a, of Fig. 8, it is seen that theweight on the yarn may be changed for different yarns or workingconditions by substituting these elements one for the other.

Also, as seen in Fig. 5, the strip 41a, corresponding to the strip 41,is provided with a vitreous surface material 52, so that, in itsoperation between the elements 45 and 41a, the yarn is not touched bymetal. Eyelets 53, preferably of porcelain or glass, are provided in thefarthermost side walls of the rows 4| and 43 for leading the yarnthrough the device.

On the leg 36, knurled-head studs 54, held by washers 55 and nuts 56,adjustably secure the lower ends of elongated or wire-like springs 51,which extend through the studs in fixed relation thereto and are spacedfrom the leg by washers 58. The upper ends of the springs 51 protrudethrough the compartments 4| for lateral impingement against the yarns.Notches 59 constitute means whereby, in mounting the springs 51, theymay all be mounted alike, or adjusted to different angles such that,when bent backwardly to the left, as indicated in Fig. 3, and releasedto impinge against the yarns, they will exert a preselected forceagainst the yarns, it being understood that the notches are utilizedonly as reference marks in adjusting the device. Means, such as jaws 62,constituting integral depending portions of transverse partitions 63,are provided for mounting the device T on one side wall 64 of the trough21.

Each of the elements 45, together with its associated spring 51, thecorresponding raised .portion 48 of the strip 41, and other parts,constitutes a tension unit individual to its yarn 22, so that the devicemay be formed solely in individual unit form for single yarnapplications, but, as shown, three of such units are cooperativelyrelated, on the single base illustrated, for operation with athree-thread ringless stocking knitting machine.,

In operation, when a yarn, being pulled by a carrier 33, pulls freelyoff the cone 23, the corresponding spring 51 forces the yarn farthest tothe right under its weight member 45, thus, placing the maximum weightand greatest degree of retardation on the yarn; the yarn in thisposition being at substantially the center of the elongated weightmember. As the resistance to pulling the yarn from its source increases,the yarn at the device T forces its spring 51 to the left, as viewed inFig. 3. During this action, the weight member 45 moves on its fulcrum atthe right end of the raised portion 48, Fig. 4, to gradually impose lessand less of its weight on the yarn, which, if the tension in it, at thecone, becomes sufficiently great, will entirely move out from beneaththe weight member 45 on the high top surface of the strip 41, and movefreely across the low top surface at the left of its compartment, asviewed in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 6, the upper two yarns are in positions of substantially maximumretardation by the device, and the lower yarn is in a position of onlyslight retardation. In Fig. '7, the yarn is in a position relative toits member 45, whereby the weight of the latter is not imposed on theyarn, which passes freely through the device over a low top surface ofthe strip 41. With the yarn in the latter position, when the tensiondecreases between the device and the source, the yarn is thus subject togreater lateral bending by the spring'51, which action moves the yarnfrom a position over the low'top surface to the high top surface beneaththe element 45, see Fig. 9A.

In the device of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6 and '7, the yarns must be threadedthrough the device T from the inlet eyelets 53, beneath the elements 45and through the outlet eyelets 53. In the modification of the device,shown in Fig. 9, slots 65 in the eyelets 53a and the frame 31a, andslots 66 in the frame opposite the intermediate row of compartments 42a,render it possible to insert the yarns, without threading, as abovestated,

by moving the yarns laterally to their length through the slots; theslots 65 being laterally offset from the slots 66 toprevent thepossibility of the yarn accidentally working out of the device throughthe slots, although this is unlikely, because in its position adjacentto the slots, the yarn is under higher tension between the device andthe yarn supply. This structure may be mounted on a machine withoutinterrupting the connection of the yarn from the cone to the carrier.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10 to 16,inclusive, the construction and operation of the device Tb are similarto those of the device T above described. However, in the places of theelongated cylindrical weight elements 45, and the strip 41, there areprovided upper discoidal elements 45b and lower discoidal elements 41b,respectively, between which the yarn 22 is moved radially, relative tothe axes of the discs, by the elongated wire-like springs 51b which aresimilarly held to the leg 36b, by an adjusting stud 54b, a washer 55band a stud-holding nut 56b.

The discs 45b and 41b are, respectively, loosely mounted about endstandards 61, and about a center standard 68 of a series thereof, on aplatform 69, as of sheet metal, which further comprises dependingportions 12, of channel section, and upright walls 13, providing across-head of relatively shallow substantially U-shape for the structureof generally T-shape of Fig. 10. A slot or slots 10 are provided in theplatform 69 to accommodate the upper ends of the springs 51b.

The discs 45b and 41b are preferable of pressed sheet metal, which maybe provided with vitreous material surface coatings, as in the case ofthe strip-41a of Fig. 5, and have oppositely axially curved outerperimeters providing flaring surfaces between which the yarn' may freelyenter laterally to its length to position between the discs. Asheet-metal member 14, secured to one side wall f the channel 12, has aninverted canopy-like edge 15 over the tops, and opposite the sides, ofthe springs 51b, to protect the same, and to act as means restrainingthe springs to the paths of movement thereof. The member 14 also has aslot or slots 1| through which the yarn passes. A portion 16, struck outof the sheet metal of the platform 69, for engaging one side of thetrough wall 64, cooperates with other portions 11 of the platform forengaging the opposite side of the trough wall to support the device Tb,similarly to the manner by which the device T of the previous figures isadapted to be held to the trough wall by the jaws 62. v

The end standards 61 have lower shank portions, or extensions 18 ofreduced diameter, depending through openings in the platform 69 closelyfitting the same, and through slots 19 in an upper lateral extension 82of the upright leg 36b, the slots being along a straight line throughthe centers of all of the standards. The reduced portions 18 areprovided with bushing-like elements 80 which securely fix the standards61 to the platform 69 by means of a lower head structure B5. A helicalspring 84, held about the element 80 and between the extension 82 andthe structure 85, exerts a pressure to yieldingly bias tent forcooperation with any one of a series of apertures 81, in the extension82, in line with the slots 19.

Thus, with the platform 69, fixedly related to the trough wall 64, whenit is desired to adjust the leg relative to the platform, the leg isgrasped and pulled downwardly a slight distance from the platform,against the action of the springs 84. This action displaces the button86, from the aperture 81, which it has been occupying, and permits theleg to be moved relative to the platform in the direction of the slots,after which, upon release of the leg, the springs 84 return the leg toits new position, wherein the button 86 seats in another of theapertures 81 to lock the leg against movement along the slots. Thisadjustment is provided to adapt the device for cooperation withdifferent yarns, and to vary the movement of the yarns radially of thestandards, between the discs. Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate the positionsof a yarn relative to the discs, when the device is exerting maximum andminimum retarding action, respectively, against the yarn.

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate positions of the yarn, corresponding to thepositions thereof in Figs. 15 and 16, respectively, in a modified formof the upper disc comprising loosely related axially concentric innerand outer portions 88 and 89, respectively, whereby, as the yarn ismoved inwardly toward the shank, it is first subjected to the weight ofthe portion 89, as in Fig. 18, and subsequently subjected to the weightsof both portions 88 and 89, as in Fig. 1'7.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 19, the parts arelike those of Fig. 15, except the upper disc 450, which is provided withan annular under-side bead 92 for more closely confining, orconcentrating, the weight of the disc on the yarn. The upper discstructures of Figs. 15, 17 and 19, may readily be slipped on and off thestandards, and substituted one for the other on any one lower disc, thuslending further flexibility to the calibration and adjustment of thedevice in accordance with different needs.

In each of the above-described forms of the invention, the individualtension units may be employed in the separate machine sections of asingle-thread knitting machine, and the tension of the individual yarnsof separate stockings thereby maintained constant. However, although,.maintained constant in the separate stockings, the values of therespective constant tensions might be considerably different, and stillproduce a good stocking in each section.

In the multiple-thread stocking, the device not only maintains thethreads .under constant tension but also provides means for maintainingthese constant tensions of like value, so that av method of tensioningthese yarns relative to each other is provided to prevent differenttension in the respective yarns, and to preclude the shadows which mightresult from separate yarns of noncooperating or unlike tension. Thefeature whereby all of the yarns are tensioned at a position in closeproximity to each other, represented by the common support for therollers or disks in the three-thread arrangement illustrated, andemanatefrom this position of support, also renders the yarns of more nearlyequal lengths and otherwise conduces to better cooperation between theyarns in producing the uniform resultant effect in the stocking.

The invention also provides means whereby yarns of different color,gauge, material or other to hold the shank to the platform, and as adecharacteristic may be knitted together, and the tension thereofadjusted and maintained constant at any selected relative value.

The invention may be modified without departing from its spirit andscope, as set forth and claimed.

I claim:

1. A yarn tensioning device, for operation be tween a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising means for varying the yarn tension, andmeans actuated by engagement with the yarn between said tension-varyingmeans and the yarn supply for automatically adjusting the effect of saidtension varying means on the yarn in accordance with variations in theyarn tension.

2. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between theelements and the yarnworking member.

3. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarn-working member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forbiased position against the yarn transversely to the yarn pressing itagainst said surface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarntransversely of its length between said member and said surface to varysaid pressure.

' 4. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yamworking member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forbiased position against the yarn transversely thereto pressing itagainst said surface, said adjusting means including an element adaptedfor resiliently-biased operation against the side of the yarn.

5. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a 'yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarn-working member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forbiased position against the yarn transversely thereto pressing itagainst said surface, said adjusting means including an elongatedresilient element fixed at one end and adapted for lateral bendingoperation against the side of the yarn.

6. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarnworking member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forbiased position against the yarn transversely thereto pressing itagainst said surface, said adjusting means including a resilent elementfor imposing its force against the side of the yarn, and means foradjusting the resilient element to vary said force.

7. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarnworking member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forbiased position against the yarn transversely thereto pressing itagainst said surface, said adjusting means including an elongatedresilient element fixed at one end and adapted for lateral bendingoperation against the side of the yarn, and means for adjusting thefixed end of the resilient element to any one of various fixedpositions.

8. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member,

comprising relatively movable elements between which the yarn passes forthe imposition by the elements on the yarn of retarding action, andmeans between said elements and the yarn supply for automaticallyadjusting the position of the yarn between said elements in accordancewith variations of the force required to pull the yarn from the yarnsupply whereby said elements impose said retarding action variably onthe yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantially constantbetween the elements and the yarnworking member, one of said elementshaving a surface over which the yarn is adapted to pass, and another ofsaid elements being in the form of a member having a surface of vitreousmaterial for pressing the yarn transversely thereto against saidsurface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarn laterally ofits length between said member and said surfaces to vary said pressure.

9. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action,

and means between said elements and the yarn supply for automaticallyadjusting the position of the yarn between said elements in accordancewith variations of the force required to pull the yarn from the, yarnsupply whereby said elements impose said retarding action variably onthe yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantially constantbetween the elements and the yarnworking member, one of said elementshaving a surface of vitreous material over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a member forpressing the yarn transversely thereto against said vitreous materialsurface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarn laterally ofits length between said members to vary said pressure.

10. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action,

one of said elements being gravity actuated, and

means for automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations in the yarn tension whereby saidelements variably impose the retarding action.

' 11. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply anda yarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supply for automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to" pullthe yarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose saidretarding action variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in theyarn substantially constant between the elements and the yamworkingmember, one of said elements having a surface over which the yam isadapted to pass, and another of said elements being in the form of anelongated member for biased position against the yarn transverselythereto pressing it against said surface, said adjusting means operatingto move the yarn transversely of its length longitudinally of saidelongated member to vary said pressure.

12. A yarn tensioningdevice, for operation be-' tween a yarn supply, anda yarn-working memyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements imposes'aid retarding action variably on the yarn to maintain the tension inthe yarn substantially constant between the elements and the yamworkingmember, one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn isadapted to pass, and another of said elements being in the form of amember for floating position on the yarn transversely thereto pressingby its weight the yarn against said surface, said adjusting meansoperating to move the yarn, transversely between said member and saidsurface to vary said pressure.

13. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the, yarnworking member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of a cylinder forrotative position on the yarn transversely thereto pressing it againstsaid surface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarn laterallyof its length longitudinally of said cylinder to vary said pressure.

14. A yarn tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working memv ber, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarnworking member,one of said'elements having upper and lower surfaces gradually mergedtogether over which the yarn is adapted to move lengthwise-andlaterally, and another of said elements being in the form of anelongated member disposed over both of said surfaces for biased positionagainst the yarn transversely thereto pressing it against said uppersurface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarn laterally ofitslength longitudinally of said elongated member to lead the yarn toposition between the surface and the elongated member and to vary itslocation along the member in said position.

15. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayam-working member, comprising relatively movable elements between whichthe yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position -of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarnworking member,one of said elements having upper and lower surfaces over the uppersurface of which the yarn is adapted to move lengthwise and laterally,and another of said elements being in the form of an elongated memberfor fulcrumed position at a shoulder of said upper surface next to saidlower surface floating on the yarn transversely thereto pressing itagainst the upper surface, said adjusting means operating to move theyarn longitudinally of said elongated member to vary said pressure.

16. A yam-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working mem-.

ber, comprising relatively movable elements between which the yarnpasses for the imposition by the elements on the yarn of retardingaction, and means between said elements and the yarn supply forautomatically adjusting the position of the yarn between said elementsin accordance with variations of the force required to pull the yarnfrom the yarn supply whereby said elements .impose said retarding actionvariably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantiallyconstant between the elements and' the yarnworking member, one of saidelements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted to pass, andanother of said elements being in the form of a member for floatingposition on the yarn transversely thereto pressing by its weight theyarn against said surface, said adjusting means operating to move theyarn relative to said memher to vary said pressure, and a support forsaid elements adapted to receive any one of a plurality of elementscorresponding to said other element but of different weight.

17. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayam-working member, comprising relatively movable elements between whichthe yam passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarn-working member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of an elongatedmember' for floating position on the yarn transversely thereto p essingby its weight the yarn against said surface, said adjusting meansoperating to move the yarn longitudinally of said elongated member tovary said pressure, and a support for said elements adapted to receiveany one of a plurality of elements corresponding to said other elementbut of different weight.

18. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayam-working member, comprising relatively movable elements between whichthe yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tensionin theya'rnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yam-workingmember, one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn isadapted to pass, and another of said elements being in the form of aglass tube having inturned end edges and adapted for rotative positionon the by the elements on the yarn of retarding action,

and means between said elements and the yarn supply for automaticallyadjusting the position of the yarn between said elements in accordancewith variations of the force required topull the yarn from the yarnsupply whereby said elements impose said retarding action variably onthe yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantially constantbetween the elements and the yarnworking member, one of said elementshaving a surface over which the yarn is adapted to pass, and another ofsaid elements being in the form of an annular member for biased positionin the direction of its axis against the yarn pressing it against saidsurface, said adjusting means operating to move the yarn transversely ofits length substantially radially of said annular member.

20. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yamworking member,said elements being of annular form disposed in adjacent axial relationand yieldably biased axially together. for pressing against the yarn,said adjusting means operating to move the yarn transversely of itslength substantially radially of said elements.

21. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayam-working member, comprising relatively movable elements between whichthe yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the ,yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarn-working member,one of said elements having a surface over which the yarn is adapted topass, and another of said elements being in the form of an annularmember having a surface for biased position in the direction of its axistoward said first surface, one of said surfaces having a portion ofundulate contour, said adjusting means operating to move the yarntransversely of its length substantially radially of said annularmember.

22. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarn-working member,said elements being of annular form disposed in adjacent axial relationand yieldably biased axially together for pressing against the yarn andone of said elements embodying members movable relative to each other,said adjusting means operating to move the yarn transversely of itslength substantially radially-of said annular elements.

23. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action, and means between said elements and the yarn supplyfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarn between saidelements in accordance with variations of the force required to pull theyarn from the yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retardingaction variably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarnsubstantially constant between the elements and the yarnworking member,one of said relatively movable elements including relatively movableportions for successively imposing different retarding action on theyarn in accordance with the position of the yarn between said elements.

24. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition a by the elements on the yarnof retarding action, means between said elements and the yarn supply forautomatically adjusting the position of the yarnbetween said elements inaccordance with variations of the force required to pull the yarn fromthe yarn supply whereby said elements impose said retarding actionvariably on the yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantiallyconstant between the elements and the yarn-working member, a support forsaid elements and for said yarn-adjusting means, and means for changingthe position of the elements on the support.

25. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working memfor automatically adjusting the position of the yarnbetween said elements in accordance with variations of the forcerequired to pull the yarn from the yarn supply whereby said elementsimpose said retarding action variably on the yarn to maintain thetension in the yarn substantially constant between the elements and theyamworking member, a support for said elements and for saidyarn-adjusting means, and spring-anddetent means for yieldablyreleasably positively holding the elements in any one of a plurality ofselective positions on the support relative to said yarn-adjustingmeans.

26. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements bevariationsof the force required to pull the yarn from the yarn supply whereby saidelements impose said retarding action variably on the 'yarn to maintainthe tension in the yarn substantially constant between the elements andthe yarnworking member, a support for said elements and for saidyarn-adjusting means, the latter including an elongated wire-like springfor fixed position adjacent to one end and lateral bending movementcarrying its free end along an arcuate path, and means on the supportfor protecting said end along said path.

27. A yarn-tensioning device, for operation between a yarn supply and ayarn-working member, comprising relatively movable elements betweenwhich the yarn passes for the imposition by the elements on the yarn ofretarding action,

means between said elements and the yarn supply for automaticallyadjusting the position of the yarn between said elements in accordancewith variations of the force required to pull the yarn from the yarnsupply whereby said elements impose said retarding action variably onthe yarn to maintain the tension in the yarn substantially constantbetween the elements and the yarnworking member, a support for saidelements and for said yarn, adjusting means including eyelets forleading the yarn to and from the elements and including slotted portionsadjacent to the eyelets and to the elements for positioning the yarn inthe eyelets and between the elements by moving it laterally intoposition.

FRED AU'I'EM.

